Ambassador for Govt National Injury Insurance Scheme

Marayke is Proud to have been announced as the QLD Ambassador for the National Injury Insurance sheme (NIIS) by the treasurer Curtis Pitt and Minister for Disabilities Coralee O’Rourke today outside parliament house in Brisbane.

” This is possibly the most important role I’ve ever had in my life, Paralympic medals included, because ensuring 100% of Queenslanders involved in serious vehicle accidents have access to the equipment and support they need will change lives and the course of history for Queenslanders.

Did you know only 50% of people involved in a serious motor vehicle accident are covered by compulsory CTP? Thats means if 2 people were sitting in this car only one may be covered!”

At the launch event Marayke spoke from the heart to gathered media and guests using her own life as an example of how with the right equipment and support, such as her affordable manual wheelchair and hand controls she was able to compete as a Paralympic swimmer, graduate with to university undergraduate degrees, travel the world and work as a journalist renovation or speaker and in public relations becoming a taxpayer while at the same time contributing to the community as a volunteer and by starting an charity sporting dreams. When her condition deteriorated due to overuse injury, requiring a $24,000 100 kg wheelchair and $100,000 worth of vehicle modifications to transport it marayke’s capacity to participate in society drastically changed although her enthusiasm and desire intelligence and willingness did not.

This is the gap she hopes the NIIS will fill.

She told the crowd gathered at the launch, having to use a wheelchair is not a catastrophe- it’s a mode of transport- not being able to afford the wheelchair you need is a catastrophe.

With the equipment and supports life after an injury may be different but we can continue to set hopes and dreams and become the best version of ourselves.

There is also a follow on effect for families and friends- who often bear the brunt of caring responsibilities after an accident, as well as the community for the people with disabilities their families and friends are much more able to participate and engage.

The details of the scheme are still being worked out by a parliamentary committee, in negotiation with key stakeholders. but it is clear already that there is a need to highlight the gap, is even I was not aware of the shockingly high percentage of people literally taking their lives into their own hands everytime they set foot in a motor vehicle because they are not covered by insurance.

The treasurer and Marayke, who both have a background in public relations, loved the creative marketing props-half a car, bike and ute.